Sorry took awhile but I've just...ugh!

CHAPTER 2

"You are not going alone!"

"Boss, I-"

"No." Jethro turned to face Director Vance. "He is not going there alone."

"Boss, I'll be alright." Tim tried to calm his lover down but he wasn't hearing him. He was talking over him and demanding the director to send someone else or to send someone with him.

"I'll go with him."

"Uh, I'm not sure that's a good idea Boss," Tony said hesitantly. "Remember, Director David isn't exactly your number one fan."

Tim watched before looking at Ducky, staring at his with a thoughtful look as his mind had already eliminated his teammates' ability to join him to Israel. Ducky glanced at him before doing a double take when he saw him watching.

"Then you," Jethro suggested but Ziva shook her head.

"No, my father does not like Tony either."

It was Tony's turn to make a suggestion. "Ziva?"

Jethro shook his head. "She just got home."

"Ducky." They all turned to look at him and Tim offered a small smile. "If it's alright, and Ducky's alright with it, I'd like him to join me."

Honestly, he would have preferred Jethro to join him to Israel, but like they said, Director David wasn't Jethro's number one fan. David had Tony and Ziva watched and thought they were sleeping together, so that was out. Ziva just got home and needed rest, Abby and Jimmy were out, and since they were so adamant about someone going with him, then it left Ducky.

They all looked to Ducky who shrugged. "I wouldn't mind a short break from the last few autopsies I've had to perform."

"Excuse me," Director Vance interrupted, "but I don't remember saying that anyone would be accompanying Agent McGee. He is only going to be working on the director's computers."

"Vance." Uh oh. Tim knew that voice. "I just got my team back, after you split us up. If you think I'm going to easily let you have my agent whisked away to work on computers as if he's still workin in Cybercrimes, then we're going to have a problem."

Director Vance stared at Jethro before he raised an eyebrow with a hint of a smirk that sent off Tim's warning bells. Something about that smirk didn't sit too well with him, but Vance spoke before he could dwell on it.

"And where do you suppose I get an ME so quickly?"

"If I may Director," Ducky said, stepping up, "I have a friend, who is an ME, who I could recommend to fill in for me while I accompany Timothy to Israel. Besides, if it's a problem, then I have plenty of vacation hours collected that I haven't had the fortune of using."

Vance blinked before nodding curtly. "Very well. Doctor, with me, and Agent McGee, your flight is tomorrow morning." Tim nodded. "Now, I believe you have work to do."

They watched Ducky and Director Vance head up to his office before they thought of moving.

"I can't believe my father!"

"Maybe he just really needs help with his computers," Abby said though she didn't look like she believed her own words.

"Eli David doesn't do anything for no reason." Tim saw Jethro stare at him like it was going to be the last time and he shook his head at him with a small reassuring smile.

Ziva agreed.

"Well…I have to get back to work. Great to have you back Ziva, Tony. Come on Jimmy." She grabbed Jimmy's hand and started pulling him to the elevator, Jimmy waving at them goodbye.

"Alright, let's get to work."

"I don't know what he's planning, or what he wants, but I don't trust him."

"You don't trust most people," Tim chuckled, pressing a kiss to Jethro's cheek as he passed him from the bathroom and to their bedroom.

He had moved back in with Jethro about two months after the team was split apart. He had only stayed at Ziva's apartment because of Jett and because they basically had been too busy to think about it. But eventually he moved back in with Jethro, brought Jett along since Ziva was in Israel, and continued to pay his half for the apartment since his name was still on the lease, check on it, and keep it clean while Ziva was gone.

Tim was packing his bag for his stay in Israel. They really had no idea how long he would be there but it shouldn't be more than a week depending on what Eli David wanted and if he had to get new things.

"True, but Eli David and Leon Vance are two people I don't trust the most."

"Doesn't help that they knew each other way back when."

Jethro grunted, coming up behind him and sliding his arms around his waist. Tim sighed and leaned back against him, relishing in the older man's strong embrace. He really didn't want to go. The family was just back together. But…he had to go.

"I'm gonna go get a book or two, be right back."

He headed downstairs into the living room and went through his own book collection, trying to decide which ones he wouldn't mind taking with him for the flight and for whenever he got bored. Choosing two, he plucked them off their shelves and headed upstairs, grabbing the mail on the side table on the way. Give something for Jethro to do.

"Here."

Though he rolled his eyes, Jethro went through the mail while Tim finished packing. "Here, you got something."

Tim looked down at the envelope and frowned looking at the return address. "I don't know a Beverly Williams." But he opened the letter anyway, seeing Jethro opening one as well, and read the little card first. Only to fall limply on the bed beside Jethro as he read the letter.

Dear Agent McGee,

Sorry you're getting this four months later, but with making arrangements, cleaning out my sister's house, and grieving, I completely forgot to mail you and the rest of your team these letters from Jenny.

Sorry,
Beverly Williams

Tim opened the letter with trembling fingers and read.

Dear Timothy,

When I first met you, I was…surprised that Jethro had hired you. Not only because of how green you were, but also because of your intelligence with a computer. As you know, Jethro isn't that good with a computer; though…I think that answered one of the mysteries. But as I continued to observe you, I could see not only why he brought you to the team, but also why he fell in love with you.

You're not only smart and observant, but you're fiercely stubborn, loyal, and would do anything for the ones you care for. Just one situation, the situation with your sister, was proof enough. You take on challenges head on, which I have to admire about you Timothy. Jethro is one big challenge, one I can admit that I wasn't strong enough to take on.

I know that I'm gone; you're probably not even reading this right afterwards like I intended. My sister can be a bit forgetful. However, I ask for two things. One is to help Tony and Ziva through this. It wasn't their faults that I'm dead. I knew I wouldn't be coming back, except for my funeral. It's the reason why I didn't request for you to accompany me to Los Angeles.

Because I was the director, I had to have escorts and the best team was required. Which means Jethro's team. And though I didn't want to put Tony or Ziva in danger, or for them to go through what they no doubt are going through, I especially didn't want that for you. Jethro has already lost Shannon and Kelly. I couldn't risk him losing you too. I'm not sure what would be left of Jethro if anything happened to you.

The second thing I ask of you is to take care of Jethro. I know you already plan to, but I can't stop asking.

Take care Timothy.

Sincerely,
Jenny Shephard

"Damn woman," he heard muttered beside him and he chuckled at the look on Jethro's face as he looked at him. Apparently Jethro's letter had been a lot shorter as he was reading over Tim's shoulder and shaking his head. "Gone and still handing out orders."

"Well, who am I to not follow the director's orders?"

Jethro rolled his eyes but Tim saw the small smile on Jethro's lips. He leaned forward and softly pressed his lips against his lover's, sighing as Jethro's lips lightly nipped at his bottom lip and gently placing the letter aside, he wrapped his arms around Jethro's neck and tilted his head so he could deepen the kiss.

"Love ya Jethro."

"So…Ducky, did you get anything in the mail yesterday?"

"If you're asking if I received a letter from Jenny, then yes." Ducky smiled at Tim's small blush and patted the younger man's arm as they sat on the plane. "If I may ask, what did Jenny say in yours?"

"Explained why she didn't have me in L.A. when she went and to take care of Jethro, though she knew I already planned on it."

"What are your thoughts on Director Vance?"

Tim blinked at the swift subject change before shrugging. "Ambitious is the first word that comes to mind. He came in and immediately set Jethro to figure out who the mole was." He stared at Ducky. "Why?"

Ducky shrugged. "Just curious to know if you or Jethro ever thought to tell the new director about your relationship."

He quickly shook his head, just the idea of letting Director Vance know about their relationship set his heart racing and small beads of sweat to break out on his forehead. "No. No, no, no, no, no. Remember that we knew Jenny for years and didn't even tell her. She just found out because of the explosion that sent Jethro into a coma. Until we know for sure that we can not only trust Vance but trust him not to split us up, we're not telling him."

"Alright," Ducky said with another pat to his arm. "Relax my boy. It was just a question that has had me curious for a while now."

Nodding, he relaxed and grabbed a book. "You don't mind…"

"Oh, no, go ahead Tim. I have a bit of my own reading that I would like to do."

Tim smiled before opening his book and relaxing for the rest of the flight.

Eli sighed. He rubbed the bridge of his nose and he listened to Leon on the other line. "Leon, I requested Agent McGee."

"Yes, and that has me worried. You don't do anything without a reason Eli."

"Alright… Yes I have a reason, but he is in no danger."

"You're not going to tell me, are you?"

"They're my own."

"Eli…I have big plans for that young man. I won't have you ruin it by putting him in danger for some sort of revenge against Gibbs."

"Leon," he warned with an edge to his voice. The situation with Ari and his death by Gibbs' hand was off limits.

"I apologize."

He nodded even though Leon couldn't see him. "Besides, you should have worried about that before you put your agent and the doctor on my plane."

"Yeah, well, call me sentimental but I put my faith in you."

"Then why question me now?"

"Gibbs won't leave me alone."

Eli snorted at that. Yeah, he bet Gibbs was annoying Leon about Agent McGee leaving for Israel to meet him, and without him.

"I know. I knew the man was protective of his team and I understand that it's a problem since they just came back together, but even this is a bit much."

So Leon didn't know. Interesting.

"Well, I gotta go, and…I'll hold you accountable if anything happens to Agent McGee."

"Shalom Leon."

"Shalom Eli."

He hung up the phone with a sigh and shake of his head. Another mystery of Agent Timothy McGee. Four months and already Leon had plans for the young man, enough to pester Eli to know if he was in any danger and pointedly inform Eli that he was responsible for Agent McGee.

That made two calls to ensure the agent's safety. The first from his daughter.

What was so important about this agent?

It wasn't long that he was sitting in his office when there was a knock on the door and Amit entered with their two guests with him. "Agent McGee and Doctor Mallard are here."

"Yes, yes, send them in."

Both men entered, Amit shutting the door behind them, and Eli stood to shake their hands. "Director David," Doctor Mallard greeted as McGee just nodded.

"Thank you for coming."

"Oh it's no problem. No problem at all."

Eli noticed that McGee was staring at him and if he was a lesser man, he would have squirmed. Those eyes were staring at him as if he was the mystery. He's encountered many people in his life, but something about those green eyes, the way they stared at him, was a little unnerving.

"So," McGee said, breaking the silence and finally speaking, "you need help with your computers."

"Yes."

"What do you need exactly?"

"I would like everything updated and I need help with that as I do not know what is needed. And I do not trust someone average as they could try and have me buy something I would never use."

"Why me?"

Demanding young thing.

"I have heard good word from Director Vance that you were smart with computers."

McGee stared at him for a few seconds before nodding. "Would you like me to start now?"

"No. I'll have Officer Hadar show you to your rooms so you may unpack and rest. Dinner will be shortly and there I will tell you what I'd like done."

"Okay," McGee said as he again nodded and held out his hand to be shook again, Doctor Mallard following.

"Hadar."

"Yes sir."

"Please show them their rooms."

"Yes sir."

He watched them leave before sitting back down in his chair and knew this next week was going to be interesting.

Gemcitylady: Tim?

Elflord: Hey Zee

Gemcitylady: How are you?

Elflord: I'm fine. :)

Elflord: Worried?

Gemcitylady: Yes. I do not trust my father.

Elflord: Nah, I'm good. Came, met him, had dinner and talked computers, and now I'm in the room they gave me. Ducky's in the next room.

Gemcitylady: Hmm

Elflord: You alright?

Gemcitylady: Of course.

Elflord: Good to be home? :)

Gemcitylady: Yes

Gemcitylady: Though it stinks that now that I am home, you are gone. Not just in Israel but moved out of the apartment.

Elflord: Ah, don't worry Zee. I shouldn't be gone long. At least with this, we know how long it'll be.

Gemcitylady: True

Elflord: Are Abby and Tony over?

Gemcitylady: Yes. We are watching a movie right now. Though, Tony is talking through it. Again!

Gemcitylady: It really is good to be home.

Elflord: lol

Gemcitylady: *sigh* Wish you were here

Elflord: Wish I was there too.

Elflord: …Hold on.

Gemcitylady: Tim?

Elflord: Hold on.

Tim minimized his conversation with Ziva and set up his video before sending an invitation to Ziva. A second later, Ziva's face filled the screen and she smiled. "Hey Tim."

"Hey Zee."

"Is that Probie?" Ziva was nudged over, and she glared, as Tony's face joined Ziva's. "Hey McGeek! How's the desert?"

"Hot."

"You didn't forget your sunscreen did you?"

Tim glanced at Ziva and saw her smirk too. "Why Tony… If I didn't know any better I'd say that was worry in your voice."

Tony snorted though Tim could see the small blush. "No. Just don't want to you turning red like a lobster without me there to joke about it."

"Uh huh."

"Don't listen to him Tim." Abby's face joined them. "He's worried."

"Yes," Ziva said. "It is all he's been talking about today."

Tony glared at the two women beside him. "I wasn't the only one."

"Yeah, but we admit it. You okay over there Tim?" Abby asked worriedly.

"Yeah, guys, I'm fine. It's not like he planned to murder me the second I got here." The three looked doubtful and Tim rolled his eyes. "What'd you guys do today?"

"Cold cases."

"Evidence."

Tim smiled at their answers. He missed them already.

They were sitting in his office, playing a game of backgammon. His bodyguard, confident, and friend Mossad Officer Amit Hadar was beating him at the moment, but he still had plans to win.

"So, what do you think of Agent McGee so far?" he asked.

"He is…interesting."

"Oh?"

"Once Agent McGee is set with a task, he is focused. Nothing short of an earthquake could distract him. He didn't even let anyone help, wouldn't even let them touch the stuff in case they handled it wrong."

"Hmm."

"It's actually quite odd," Amit pondered with a small frown before shrugging. "I guess I have just never seen anyone so focused."

They sat quietly before Amit spoke again. "I can see why."

"Why what?"

"I can see why Agent Gibbs is attracted."

Eli grunted. He knew his friend has taken a male lover a time or two and he didn't fuss about it. When it came to the life of a Mossad Officer you found pleasure where you found it. You never knew when the day you're living would be your last. And though his eyes have never strayed to that of a male, he could see what his friend was speaking about.

It was the eyes, the bottom lip, the softness of his skin. Eli had been surprised how soft and pale Agent McGee's skin was.

He scowled as he realized where his thoughts were headed and rolled his eyes when Amit laughed. "Do not say anything."

"I am not."

"You my friend are trouble." Amit smirked before making his next move. Eli grumbled. "I want to know more about this agent. Why he is so important."

"Question him?"

"Yes, but subtly. We do not want him to feel interrogated."

Amit sat back with a smirk when he won the game. "Even though we are."

"Yes."

Almost a week had gone by and Ducky was sitting in the sitting room at Director David's home, playing backgammon. "So, are you going to eventually explain why we're here?" He paused before shaking his head. "Let me rephrase that. I know why I'm here. But why is Tim?"

Eli puffed on his cigar and stared at the board to decide his next move. "Why do you ask? Why do you think I do not just need my computers updated?"

"I heard young Timothy the other day mumbling about how he didn't understand why you wanted to update your computer here at home when there was barely anything needing updating. The ones at work, yes, but here, no."

He sat in silence before admitting, "Agent McGee intrigues me."

The doctor stared at him questionably before asking, "How?"

"…Not only has he become important to Leon in a short four months, he has also become important to Ziva."

"And you find that strange?"

"Yes." He made his move.

Doctor Mallard looked back down at the board. "Timothy has the amazing ability to break through people's personal walls. Mossad walls are no different."

Eli refrained from huffing as that did not explain anything. He already knew that. "How?"

"I wouldn't know. It still surprises me at times. But from what I've observed," Eli was getting the feeling of being in school the more Doctor Mallard talked, "Timothy was the first to accept Ziva to the team, first to offer her a smile so shortly after Agent Todd's death. He offered her short cuts from her apartment to work so that she could avoid being late, and I've heard that he offers her advice whenever he has free time on computers."

Huh.

He sat back, Doctor Mallard doing the same. "Tell me about him."

"If you're intrigued, why haven't you observed him?"

"Tried."

"It's hard figuring out the man when he's elbow deep in wires."

A chuckled left him before he could stop it. "Yes. And he is…focused when he is working."

"That he is." He continued after a while. "Timothy is a young man that I am honored to have met, befriend, and watch grow. As you've seen, he is focused, observant, and smart. Though…for as smart as he is, he doesn't grasp or understand a few things, such as when he's being manipulated. He needs to know all the facts, needs to know them all up front. He doesn't like it when people dance around something, he rather likes things done head on and-"

"Okay." Both men looked at the doorway to see Agent McGee, with Amit behind him.

Eli blinked. "Yes?"

"I'm done." And his hands came to his hips. "I want to know why I'm here and will not be…interrogated by Officer Hadar any longer."

"See?" Doctor Mallard chuckled. "Head on."

Eli looked back to Amit behind McGee who shrugged with a quirk of his lips. "Only so many questions I can ask without him catching on Director."

"No worries. Come, Agent McGee, join us."

McGee sat down in the seat to his right and just stared at him. Leon had told him a bit about McGee when he had called to check up on him and this McGee wasn't who Leon described. Leon described McGee as a young man that was smarter than average but was shy and a ball of nervous energy when faced with strangers or superiors. Yet here McGee sat, staring at him, just silently waiting for him to answer his demands of what Eli wanted of him. Seemed to Eli that when the younger man was impatient or comfortable those nerves went away. Or…the nervousness was an act for Leon, to feel the new director out.

Again with the mystery of Timothy McGee.

"You intrigue me Agent McGee. You're a mystery, and I do love mysteries."

McGee blinked, turned to Doctor Mallard who shrugged, and then looked back at him. "Um, okay. Uh…" he scratched the back of his neck, frowning, "why? I mean, why are you even aware of me? And why me?"

"It's my business to know who Ziva is partnered with, who she works with."

"And you saw our emails and instant messages over the past four months."

Eli was not even surprised that McGee knew as he had been working on his personal computer just now. The last computer to work on. He saw Doctor Mallard frown out of the corner of his eye but he ignored the good doctor and puffed on his cigar before addressing Agent McGee.

"Yes."

The younger agent's head tilted to the side as he watched him. He saw a realization dawn in his eyes. "How long have you had Ziva monitored?"

"For a while now," he waved away. "It's come to my attention that you are important to my daughter."

"So is the rest of the team, yet, here I am."

He continued as if he had not been interrupted. "And I know that in the beginning Ziva kept to the Mossad ways. Yet," he looked at McGee over his glasses, "you passed through them as if nothing and have become like a brother to her."

"Yeah."

"How do you do it?"

McGee frowned. "I don't understand."

"You somehow become important to my daughter, Leon," he didn't miss McGee's confusion at that, "and…Gibbs."

Both Doctor Mallard and McGee froze at that but McGee's eyes hardened. He never thought it, except for when he first learned of Agent McGee, but if he ever thought the green eyed agent in front of him weak, he wouldn't now. It seemed his relationship with Gibbs was a button that no one was allowed to push.

"What I want to know is how?"

"You've also had me followed."

"Like I said, it is my business to know who my daughter partners with. You work with Ziva, you live with Ziva, you are important to my daughter."

"I'm still trying to understand what you want from me," he replied. "If it's just to figure me out, then having me do work and get second hand information isn't going to work. Of course, you could have just asked Ziva. If it's to warn me away from Ziva, for some reason, then sorry, it's not going to happen."

Now, that was interesting. He saw that Agent McGee's last comment also intrigued Amit who was standing at his post by the door, listening.

"You would not leave her alone if I asked?"

"No."

"Demand?"

"No."

"Threaten?"

"No."

It was refreshing to see such fierce loyalty to his daughter. Though a part of him was furious at this young man for breaching his daughter's Mossad walls, turning her into an emotional woman and no longer an officer, a part of him was grateful. This man was giving his daughter what he never could. What he took away from her. Opportunity to live life full of love and life, like his wife, like his daughter Tali.

He wanted to see how far this loyalty went and with casualty asked, "Even if I threatened the life of Leroy Jethro Gibbs."

The change in the calm man was instantaneous. From his relaxed posture, he went rigid and still, his eyes flashed into something he saw in many angered Mossad officers. His jaw clenched and his hands fisted. Then it all cleared. It all happened so fast that if he hadn't been watching, he would have missed it.

"You've monitored me, you've checked me out. Then you know what I would do for the ones I care deeply about."

"Which is?"

"Anything that's necessary. And right now in my life, those important are my team and my family."

Yes, he recalled hearing about McGee's sister getting in trouble and he had without question given up his badge because the former director worried about the NCIS' image. It was a manipulation of course, but still. Hearing how easily he had been ready to leave his job just for family had surprised him.

He stared at the stubborn young man and found himself smiling. He could see it. As he sat there, defiant and ready for any threat. Shaking his head, he turned his attention back to the backgammon board and continued to play with Doctor Mallard who only paused for a few seconds before he too continue playing.

Timothy McGee wasn't a mystery.

He was just different. Like a puzzle. Eli had known all the pieces and hadn't known the finished product, until he met him, had an actual conversation with him, and saw it all in one piece. He still didn't know certain things about the young man, probably never would because he wasn't anyone special to McGee, but he could see it.

And he liked it.

He liked him for his Ziva. He would protect her.

"Turns out I've passed some kind of test," Tim said over the phone to Jethro later that night in his room. He was packing as he was done with everything and he and Ducky would be heading back to DC the next morning.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. Turns out I was some kind of mystery that needed to be solved or something."

He had no plans to tell his lover about the end of the conversation. Where Director David had seemed to be seeing how far his loyalty to Ziva went. Truth be told, if someone, Director David included, thought to use a person he loved as leverage for anything, his first reaction would have been to draw his weapon. However, he would have stayed calm and told the team so they could help. All those minds together were better than one.

"You comin' home?"

"Yep. Ducky and I are on a flight first thing in the morning."

"Good. The sooner you're home the better."

"Aah, Jethro."

"Yeah, yeah."

He chuckled as he finished zipping up his suitcase and sitting down. "Just admit it, you miss me."

"Just get your ass home."

"Yes sir," he saluted, even though Jethro couldn't see him. It warmed him though when he heard the small laugh on the other end of the phone.

Yeah, he couldn't wait to get home.

A/N: Not my most favorite chapter, but to be honest I am...in the worst mood. My stupid external hard drive just won't work. It reads it, but it won't let me see it. Any of it. I've done everything and now I have to take it to the Geek Squad to see what they can do because I can not lose what's on it. Which is everything!

Sorry, ranting and that's not what this if for.

PLEASE REVIEW! They're appreciated.

Also, if you haven't, don't forget to vote on the poll on what I should write and post after this series. There are only six stories left and most are one shots. So, it won't be long before this series is over.

One more chapter left after this.